It tasted like pure hatred, and I loved it.
I had expected Levi to follow up on the cake, but I didn’t hear from him over the next few days. My mind buzzed with unanswered questions as I walked toward the sports building. Maybe Grandma’s recipe was more violent than I thought. Or perhaps he was such a disturbed, grim man that he’d actuallyappreciatedthe gesture? Unless Grandma had told Dad the truth, and in that case, he’d dealt with Levi himself?Where’s the nearest hospital or—
“So you picked fencing after all.” Sylas appeared at my side with an easy stride. “How did your dad take it?”
I grimaced. “I haven’t told him yet.”
“This will stay between us, don’t worry. I’m glad you’re here. We kind of suck. Fencing is mainly a Pioneer’s sport.” He smiled, holding the door of the gymnasium open for me. “Fencing is notmy main sport. I’m on the national rowing team and captain of our house team. We train every morning at five thirty by the river.”
“That’s so impressive!”
“My dad doesn’t seem to believe it is.” Sylas snorted.
“Well, I do, and Yasmine and I will definitely cheer for you guys during competition weekends.”
He chuckled. “I think you’ll both fit in just fine with the Unifiers.”
He opened the door of the fencing room, and I blinked twice. It felt like an arena where Greek gods used to battle. The air carried the scent of sweat and leather. Large windows framed a view of the river, allowing natural light to bathe the room. Foils adorned the walls, casting a metallic sheen. Rows of masks hung neatly, waiting for their next bout.
“Women’s locker rooms are through the second door to the right. I’ll meet you right after?” Sylas said, grazing my arm slightly.
I swallowed. “Thanks.”
I threaded through the scattered fencers, each clad in pristine white gear. Pushing the door of the stony cold locker room, which made me think of one of a dungeon’s entrances, I spotted a girl with black, almost purplish straight hair, tightening her leather glove.
“Hi, I’m Dalia, first year,” I introduced myself, emptying my bag to prepare my fencing gear.
“Amelia.” She narrowed her eyes at me, and I peered at her uniform hung on the coat hanger. A Guardian.
I slipped into the white pants and knee-high socks. “I’m a little nervous about my first class.”
She closed her metallic locker with one final snap. “Fencing is not for the weak. They’ll eat you alive if you suck.”
With that, she left, and I said a quick prayer to Mary for this fencing class to go well. My trembling fingers threaded through the white jacket embroidered with Pantheon’s emblem. It snugly hugged my frame as I executed the final touch: tying my hair into Mom’s signature tight braid with the green ribbon she’d gifted me on our last birthday together. As long as I had her with me, I’d be fine. Armed in my gear, I returned to the fencing salle, finding Sylas standing in the middle.
“Fencing seems to suit you,” he commented with a grin.
And it seemed to suit him too. He carried an air of charm and elegance effortlessly, almost like a knight from a storybook.
“I met someone in the locker room, and she made it sound like fencing would be rough.”
Sylas’s smile widened. “She probably said that because of Tara.”
Tara.I had heard that name somewhere. I was pretty sure she was the leader of the Pioneers. Sylas pointed at a woman with dark skin and curly black hair. She stood tall and slender. It was the same woman Levi was with during the ceremony. My silly heart tightened.
“She’s undefeated. She’s the best here and doesn’t manage anyone, especially not first years. She’s ruthless.”
My gaze lingered on her, and I couldn’t help but think that if the school had a queen bee, she would be the undeniable contender. My attention turned to the group of men exiting the lockers.
“Not him.” My voice was a mere whisper.
Levi strolled across the room with a commanding presence, holding his fencing mask nonchalantly. So I hadn’t poisoned him, and he was indeed very much alive.
“Levi? I hope he wasn’t rude to you. It’s just a facade, but you should watch out for him too. He’s less bloody than Tara but willread you like an open book. No wonder they used to go out with each other, right?” he said jokingly, and my blood froze.
“They went out with each other?” I knew I shouldn’t be curious about that; I hated the pathetic interest in my voice.
“I mean, I don’t think either of them is actually capable of emotional attachment, but—” Sylas’s voice was cut by a rough voice from behind me.
